Edward grabbed her wrist, preventing her from fleeing. “Do not run from me, Alice.”
He sounded neither angry nor upset, and she swallowed hard as she turned back to face him.
“I have nothing to say.” Her voice sounded tiny, but she knew from the look in Edward’s eyes, he had heard it.
“Then say nothing,” he replied. “But say nothing here with me. No running and no hiding. You belong to me now.”
Alice blinked at his assertion. Never had a truer thing been said before.
“You should finish your supper,” he told her, gesturing in the direction of the plate still sitting on his desk.
Her gaze followed his toward it, and she considered the instruction. “I am not hungry, sir.” For once, Alice wasn’t just trying to be difficult. She truly was not in the mood for food anymore.
“That as it may be, you still need to eat.” Edward’s voice was insistent, his hand moving to the small of her back as he guided her back into his seat.
She gazed up at him, too weary to counter the point. Reaching forward, she collected a piece of bread and forced it between her lips. Her eyes traveled over the desk, scrutinizing the place he had just spanked her. Alice writhed against the chair. The punishment had stung this time, and she could feel the effects even now.
Edward strode back to the decanter of rum, lifting the crystal and holding it into the moonlight. “A night cap before bed?”
Alice pushed the bread down her throat. She had about as much desire for the liquor as she did the food, but her emotions were wrung out, barely even an ounce of energy left in her body. She had no will to fight—at least, not until the sunrise.
“Please,” she murmured in a hoarse voice.
Edward’s lips curled, but he said nothing as he filled two fresh glasses with rum and brought them over to the place she was sitting. Placing one down in front of her, he raised the other above her head.
“To you, Miss Jaggers.”
Alice forced her attention back to his rugged face. She should despise the man—in some ways, she was certain she did—yet as her fingers found the glass, Alice could not say it was loathing that coursed around her veins. More, it was that same low-lying lust, the simmer of an attraction that should not exist. Sinking the liquor quickly, she hoped the liquid would help dowse those flames.
Chapter 23
Edward
Edward carried Alice’s exhausted body to his bed soon after, and for once, the lady put up no resistance. Blowing out most of the candles in his quarters, he climbed under the blankets beside her, pulling her into his body as his body cocooned her. He had no sense of the significance the day would bring when he left his lodgings at sunrise, yet now as the scent of her hair filled his nostrils, Edward marveled at all that had transpired. Not only had his dreams come to fruition—years of looting and planning in order to acquire enough wealth to buy a ship as incredible as this one—now, he had another prize. Arguably, an even finer one.
Alice would not take him far across the blue water to discover new chances at prosperity, and she would not make the knees of his enemies buckle when they caught sight of her on the horizon, but she had captured her captain. He was mesmerized by the lady, by her spirit and determination as much as her natural charms, and though he fully intended to satisfy himself, he had the sudden yearning to sate her as well. That was unusual. Traditionally, Edward could not give a damn about the pleasure of the women he took into his bed, thinking only of himself, but with Alice, everything was changed.
She let out a small sigh against him—a sound of contentment, perhaps?
Edward smiled at the thought. He hoped so.
He had meant what he said to Alice. She was his now, and her impetuous decision to board his ship meant she was bound to the Dexterity every inch as much as he and all the rest of the crew were, but that did not mean she could not enjoy her time on board. Edward would look after her, protect her, and if the erratic hammering of his heart was anything to go by, he might even learn to love her.
Edward dozed, sleep washing over him like the troublesome waves outside. His mind was peaceful. Carlisle was in charge of the ship, the crow’s nest was manned, and he had a beautiful, warm woman in his arms.
Life was good.
A loud noise cut through his sleep, sending his pulse racing, though Edward could not say what was the cause for alarm. His body tensed, his eyes wide open while he strained his senses, waiting to hear if there was another sound, a warning—anything to indicate what had stirred him from slumber.
The thudding sound came again, followed by another, then the sound of a man shouting.
Letting go of Alice, Edward sat bolt upright in his bed. Although there was no reason for undue concern, his instincts told him something was amiss, and Edward always trusted his instincts. He swung his legs out of bed, reaching for his sword left by his side.
“Edward?” He turned at Alice’s sleepy voice, her face dimly illuminated by the one remaining candle at his bedside. “What is it? What’s wrong, sir?”
His cock roused at the way she addressed him, but there was no time to scratch that itch.
“I am not certain,” he admitted, sliding his weapon into its holdall. “Something is not right. I need to go and see for myself.”
Alice gasped. “No,” she breathed. “Please, do not leave me here, unsupervised.”
Edward snorted. The concept of Alice wanting to be supervised was laughable. She had resisted his every attempt to tame her, ensuring he resorted to taking her in hand to gain her compliance.
“I’ll lock the door behind me,” he assured her. “You’ll be perfectly sa—”
He never completed the sentence. The sound of a single gunshot splintered his thoughts, sending his heart into fresh panic, causing his feet to halt their progress.
“What was that?” Alice hissed.
Edward drew in a deep breath. “That was a gunshot,” he informed her. “We’re under attack. I have to be with my men and protect my ship.”
He reached for the lock at the door, searching his pocket for the key at the same time.
“Wait!” Alice was up on her feet now, heading in Edward’s direction.
“Not now, Alice,” he chided. “We do not have time.”
“Please, you’re not listening!” Alice reached for his face, her petite hand guiding his chin back toward her. “I know a better way.”
Edward’s brow knitted. The adrenaline flooding his body was making it difficult to concentrate. “What way?” His voice was demanding. “To what do you speak of?”
Alice’s hand fell away. “Follow me,” she ordered quietly as she skipped toward the other side of the room. “And bring the light with you.”
His eyebrow arched. “Are you giving the orders now?” Edward’s tone was sardonic, and Alice’s gaze narrowed as she glanced back at him.
“Do not be headstrong, sir,” she admonished. “Remember, my father designed and oversaw the building of this vessel. I know every inch of the Dexterity, Edward.”
“So?” He grabbed the candle and strode after her diminutive frame.
Alice fell to her knees in front of the place he had found her hiding.
“So, that means I know her secrets, too and not just this one.”
The noise of men shouting increased the sense of urgency.
“What do you know, Alice?” Edward was down on his knees with her now, helping her to shift the panels that had hidden his stowaway. “Something that will help us?”
Alice flashed him a grin. “Aye, Captain Law.”
Alice
Had she ever felt more alive than this? As Alice climbed into the crawl space where her personal possessions were still strewn, she doubted she had.
“What’s back there?” Edward called, his impatience clear from his tone. “I can’t just hide, Alice. I have to fight.”
Alice rolled her eyes. Why were men always so gung-ho to fight without the correct readiness for battle? If there was
one thing her father had taught her, it was to always be prepared. That was where she had gone wrong yesterday when she had boarded the Dexterity. Yes, she had done her research, but she had not prepared for what would come next and had no way of dealing with the man who happened upon her. Alice would not allow Edward to make the same mistake.
“Trust me,” she murmured into the darkness. “I need the light, Edward.”
She reached back for the candle, and the conflict in his eyes was obvious. His heart was telling him to have faith in her, but his gut was contradicting that thought.
“Whatever you’re going to do, do it quickly.”
She nodded, waving the flame around in the opposite direction while her fingers grazed the woodwork below her knees. Somewhere around here was the panel Alice was looking for. She had studied her father’s designs for hours and knew precisely what was hidden below them.
“Here!” Her heart raced as her fingers finally grazed the uneven surface—the one tiny discrepancy her father had left as a sign of what lay beneath. Running her hand along the outer rim of the space, Alice could easily identify the hidden spot she was looking for. “Help me,” she insisted. “We need to remove this panel.”
Edward was there in an instant, his giant frame huddling in the confined space as Alice held the light aloft for him.
“I feel it,” he confirmed, and a moment later, he lifted the wooden panel from the floor.
Both of their gazes fell upon the space, and Alice smiled. It was packed full of weapons. Swords, cutlasses, and pistols were crammed inside, along with more rounds of ammunition than Alice had ever laid eyes on before.
Edward turned to her, blowing out a breath. “This is an impressive haul, Alice, thank you, but I still need to get to my men.” He shifted on his knees to retreat from the dark space.
“No, wait, sir, there’s more!”
“What?” The weight of Edward’s stare was back on her.
She edged past the collection of weapons, feeling for the floor again. “Here,” she whispered eagerly. “There’s a trap door straight to the bow of the ship. It comes out in a discreet position, Edward. It will give you the element of surprise.”
Edward’s lips curled at her words, and he crawled carefully around the open panel to the place she indicated. Turning back, he paused.
“You’re sure?”
Alice offered him a weak smile. “Completely,” she reassured him. “Though I am certain only my father and I knew of the secret additions.” She swallowed as she contemplated her late father. “He told me he designed them for me. Secret places designed for comfort should the worst happen. I think he intended to pass the information on, but sadly he never had the opportunity. I—”
Edward was on her in an instant, his movements incredibly agile for a man of his stature, and before Alice knew what was happening, his mouth crashed into her lips. He pressed her back to the thin wooden wall, the depth of his kiss stealing Alice’s breath. She just managed to shift the naked flame out of his reach before his caress assaulted her.
“Thank you, Alice,” he panted as he drew away. “You may just have saved the Dexterity.”
“No, sir,” she panted, fluttering her lashes at him. “You are the one who is going to save her.” Alice reached into the stash of weapons and collected a cutlass. “And I am going to help you.”
A wry grin lit Edward’s face. “You are going to do as you’re told for once and stay here where you’re safe.” His hand wrestled the blade from her hand.
“But what if they break down the door and find me?”
Edward’s lips skimmed her cheek. “Replace the panel and hide,” he warned her. “If the worst should happen, at least you have weapons to defend yourself.”
Alice gulped at that prospect. She still was not sure how she felt about being stuck at sea with Edward and his band of pirates, but she certainly did not want to be at the mercy of whoever was trying to raid the Dexterity.
“Do not be so concerned,” he murmured. “My men are excellent fighters, and you have just given us the element of surprise.”
“Go then,” she sighed, biting her lip. It pained her to say it, but the noise of battle was growing louder, and neither she nor Edward had any way of knowing whether friend or foe was winning.
Edward nodded, easing the trap door away and taking in the drop below.
“Replace this when I’m down,” he instructed, glancing in her direction. “And the panel to my rooms.”
Alice blinked at him.
“I mean it, Alice.” His voice had taken on the steely edge again, the resonance that had her throat drying and her pulse racing for entirely different reasons than the ongoing attack on the Dexterity.
“I will,” she promised.
He nodded, lining up his body for the jump.
“And Edward.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
His attention returned to her, that blue gaze searing her for one heart-stopping minute. “Alice?”
“Be careful.”
“Don’t worry, pretty,” Edward smirked at her concern. “I’ll be back before you can even miss me.”
Chapter 24
Alice
Alice crawled in the shadows, replacing the wooden panels as Edward had instructed. It took a few moments to secure the trap door. As he had leapt to the deck below, she had been transfixed by the sight. Alice’s final image of Edward was his predatory advance into the fight, cutlass in hand as he went to pursue whoever had been reckless enough to invade his ship.
His ship.
Those words echoed around her mind as she checked the panel that concealed her presence from the captain’s quarters was in place correctly. It was his ship now, and everything that had transpired over the last day had more than reinforced that point to her. The way he had mastered her was only another example of the fact Edward Law was in charge here—not George Jaggers, not His Majesty’s navy, and certainly, not Alice.
She sighed as she settled back to wait. Her behind screamed as it brushed against the hard flooring, reminding Alice of the second spanking she had received at Edward’s hand. Lord, she had loathed it, yet just like the first time, as the ordeal went on, the burning need within her had burgeoned to the point where it had overwhelmed the pain, pushing it to the edges of her mind. For her sins, Alice had loved that feeling, and even though she had been shocked by Edward’s desire to claim her most taboo place afterward, shamefully, she knew in her heart, she had enjoyed that as well.
So much for her moral propriety.
One day with the scandalous buccaneer, Edward Law, had put pay to all of that. Now, she was as base as the women who filled the brothels at the dockside.
Her hand rose to her temple at the thought, her senses tuning into the noise of skirmishes below her. Holding her breath, Alice listened. She could hear the clash of metal, her mind consumed with the images of blades colliding.
Silently, she prayed Edward was well. That he was in good spirits, that he had not been injured, that he would return to her soon and let her out of her dark hiding place.
Alice blinked into the candlelight in despair. She was not sure if she was more concerned about the destruction of her reputation or the battles taking place all around her. She did not want to admit it, but she found she was growing fond of the brute who had so mercilessly taken her over his knee. It did not make any sense, but there it was. The thought of him in pain or worse, dying filled her with dread. Alice needed Edward in a very real way. Edward was the only man onboard she knew would protect her. Without him, she may as well jump overboard and take her chances with the sharks. Her heart thundered as that thought bounced around her head.
Without Edward, she was in real trouble.
Oh God, let him be well…
Time protracted in that way it did when Alice had no way of checking its progress. There was no access to a window from her concealed position, and Alice was too scared to move position, so she could not be sure if the sun was splitting the ho
rizon, or if the blackness of the night still loomed over head. Her candle had largely melted away though, telling her that she must have been huddled in the small space for some time, and in the darkness, Alice was growing cold and ever more afraid. The sounds of fighting were still evident from time to time, and at one point, she thought she recognized the sound of another gun shot. Feeling for the bag of items she had brought onboard with her, Alice clung to her spare gowns and laid tentatively beside them. They were all she had now—the only sign of normality in the havoc that had fast become her world.
At some point, her weariness had drowned out the noises from below, and sleep had taken Alice once more.
Edward
He had been fighting for hours. The invasion had been orchestrated by his long-standing rival, Robert Torniquay, and the Dexterity had been overrun with Torniquay’s men when he had first jumped from the sanctuary of Alice’s hidden space. Edward and his men were able swordsmen, however, and despite a few injuries, his band had seemed relatively unscathed, pushing back the hordes with brutality and skill. As Edward ran his blade through the last of Torniquay’s men in his line of sight, he glanced toward the horizon. The sun was peeping its head above the line where the ocean met the sky, its light the most welcome sight he could imagine.
Apart from the one he hoped had done as she had been asked and was tucked away safely in his quarters.
“I think that’s the last of them, Cap’n.” Carlisle was out of breath as he approached, his attire as blood stained as Edward’s, his pistol in his hand.
“Good work,” Edward sighed, patting Carlisle on the back. “How many did we lose?”
“A couple, sir.”
There was emotion in Carlisle’s voice as he delivered the news. They may live outside the King’s law, but he and Carlisle had worked alongside many of these men for years. Any loss was going to be hard to bear.
Edward nodded. “Round the rest up and get them fed. We’ll discuss what transpired after we’re all rested.”
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